The Lenovo K12 (China) and vivo Y70s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. The K12 relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460, prioritizing efficiency, while the Y70s boasts MediaTek’s Exynos 880, aiming for a performance edge. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo Y70s is the better choice. Its Exynos 880 chipset offers a noticeable uplift in processing power, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, users focused on maximizing battery life and minimizing cost may find the Lenovo K12 adequate.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2020, May 25. Released 2020, June 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Exynos 880 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MP5 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Gray | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | V2002A |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 280 EUR |
Lenovo K12 (China)
- Potentially better battery life due to Snapdragon 460's efficiency.
- Likely lower price point.
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset.
- Significantly slower charging (10W).
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
vivo Y70s
- Faster charging (18W) for reduced downtime.
- More powerful Exynos 880 processor.
- Smoother performance in apps and games.
- Potentially shorter battery life.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Exynos 880 can run warmer under load.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market segment, both likely utilize LCD panels. The Y70s, with its more powerful chipset, *may* have a slightly higher resolution or refresh rate, but this is speculative. The absence of information on PWM dimming rates prevents assessment of potential eye strain for sensitive users.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is impossible. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will feature modest camera systems. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) is a significant omission. It’s likely both phones will rely heavily on software processing to enhance image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to provide substantial photographic value, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y70s’ Exynos 880 (8nm) utilizes a more modern architecture – Cortex-A77 cores – compared to the Lenovo K12’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). This translates to a significant performance advantage for the Y70s in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Exynos 880’s 2x2.0 GHz cores will handle multitasking and app launches more efficiently than the Snapdragon 460’s 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 cores. While both are octa-core, the architectural differences are crucial. The 8nm process of the Exynos 880 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged use.
Battery Life
The Lenovo K12’s 10W charging is a clear disadvantage compared to the vivo Y70s’ 18W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Y70s will significantly reduce the time spent tethered to a power outlet. A full charge on the K12 will take considerably longer. The Snapdragon 460’s efficiency *may* partially offset the slower charging, offering slightly longer battery life between charges, but the convenience of faster replenishment favors the Y70s.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 (China) if you need a reliably functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and if minimizing upfront cost is your top priority. Buy the vivo Y70s if you prefer a smoother experience with more demanding apps, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and value the convenience of faster charging, even at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 880 in the vivo Y70s tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 880 is a capable chip, it's known to generate more heat than some of its competitors, particularly under sustained load. The vivo Y70s' thermal management capabilities will determine how effectively it mitigates this. Expect some throttling during prolonged gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Lenovo K12 realistically usable in 2024, or is it painfully slow?
10W charging is undeniably slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. This is best suited for overnight charging or topping up when the phone isn't urgently needed. It's a significant compromise for users accustomed to faster charging speeds.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I notice between the Snapdragon 460 and Exynos 880 in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be subtle. However, when opening multiple apps, switching between them, or running more demanding applications, the Exynos 880 will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. The architectural advantages of the Exynos 880 become apparent in these scenarios.
